Sunday, February 14, 2010

To create this listing, the Empire State Animal Alliance analyzed support in the New York State legislature for 10 key extremist proposals, noting the sponsors and supporters of each proposal.

Information New York voters will need in November!

Our Animal Extremist WatchListidentifies elected representatives in terms of their support of irresponsible and even illegal proposals which are at odds with the values and needs of New York voters. While the proposals masquerade as "animal protection" reforms, in reality they destroy the civil rights of responsible, caring animal owners and jeopardize lawful, humane activities and businesses in New York.

A7285/S5392 (Paulin/Squadron) --Lobbied hard by the Humane Society of the United States, A7285 creates a brand new crime: custody of healthy, happy, well-cared for dogs, if you happen to have "too many." The bill permits animals to be seized and sold off -- or even killed -- before their owner has his/her day in court on alleged charges. Proponents pretend the bill addresses abusive breeding facilities that violate existing state and federal law, but the bill offers no new protections for animals.

A5507 (Ball) -- Due process? Search warrants? Who needs 'em! If A5507 passes into law, employees of private corporations would be free to search the homes of New York citizens based solely on an unsworn verbal complaint.

A7983/S4961 (Paulin/Oppenheimer) -- Buried in this mammoth proposal is the end to client or patient confidentiality for pet owners. The bill forces pet breeders to provide blanket authorizations for the release of their veterinary and private registry records for inspection by agents of the State of New York. More information on the many defects in the proposal here.

A8352/S4515(Titone/Lanza) -- Anyone who sells three or more dogs or cats would become an instant "animal breeder" under this proposal, instantly subject to six pages of regulations, restrictions, and inspections. Penalties for failure to comply with any provision included in the six pages can go as high as $1,000 per violation.

A9400 /S3155 (Paulin/Johnson, C) -- New Yorkers are guilty until proven innocent under this proposal, which allows private corporations to impound, sell off, and even kill their pets and livestock long before they have their day in court. A recent federal court decision in another jurisdiction points to defects in existing NY law permitting pre-adjudication forfeiture of animals. This proposal would make existing law even worse.

A3765 /S5479 (Englebright/Klein) -- Public servants such as district attorneys -- charged with representing the interests of "We, the People of the State of New York" and paid by the public to do so -- cannot represent private, not for profit corporations like societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Similar in its provisions to A9400 above, A3765/S5479 is just as illegal and just as devastating to civil rights.

A2711 (Glick) -- Opposed by the New York State Medicine Association, A2711 would allow court-appointed animal guardians to sue for non-economic damages in cases of alleged wrongful injuries to animals. Monies recovered would go into a trust fund, and private "animal protection organizations" would keep any undistributed funds when the animal dies.

A0592 (Cahill) -- Persons convicted under the terms of A0592 must undergo court-ordered psychiatric evaluations -- and possible court-ordered psychiatric treatment -- even though the animals in their care may not have suffered cruelty at all. The proposal essential invents a psychological disorder, and then makes it criminal.

A8163(Rosenthal) -- Regulates how farmers may confine their calves, hens, and pigs.

A7218 (Glick) -- Allows the State of New York to intervene in veterinary care decisions made by dog owners and their veterinarians. Makes it a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 to own or exhibit a dog with a docked tail in the State of New York, and allows "animal rights organizations" to sue on behalf of dogs.

Which Legislators Are the Biggest Threat to Your Civil Rights?

Who were the worst offenders? Which elected representatives took the most anti-civil rights positions while pursuing false "animal protection" agendas ?

#1: Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, D-Westchester--Outlaws ownership of healthy, happy dogsPaulin is the prime sponsor of A7285--Violates the privacy of pet ownersPaulin is the prime sponsor of A7983--Sentences defendants before they go to trialPaulin is the prime sponsor of A9400

--Interferes in veterinary care decisionsGlick is the prime sponsor of A7218

#3: Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, D-Manhattan--Requires public servants to work for private corporations

Rosenthal co-sponsors A3765--Outlaws ownership of healthy, happy dogs

Rosenthal co-sponsors A7285--Sentences defendants before they go to trial

Rosenthal co-sponsors A9400

Email Paulin, Glick and Rosenthal today

Responsible owners of animals of all types share a concern for the well being of pets and livestock. Under the law, we are explicitly required to provide for their welfare and should be held accountable if we fail. However, our concerns cannot drive us to surrender the protections of our civil liberties that the U. S. and New York constitutions afford.

Please take a minute and email the three elected officials who have most strongly allied themselves with an animal extremist agenda that does not reflect the values of New York voters.

Empire State Animal Alliance volunteers will be polling candidates for public office this November, soliciting their opinions on a range of topics. Our goal is to identify and endorse candidates who understand and support the responsible and humane ownership of pets, work companions and livestock.

Candidates with views supporting animal rights extremism will be identified. If you or your organization can help us canvass the candidates, please contact us at ESAAVolunteer@live.com

Empire State Animal Alliance Extremist Watch List

Welcome to the Empire State Animal Alliance

We are a non-partisan group of New York animal owners and voters.

Because we believe in transparency in government, ESAA will work to identify and disclose the positions and voting records of New York's elected public officials on legislative proposals and laws which govern the ownership of pets, working companions, livestock and other animals.

The Empire State Animal Alliance is an IRS Section 527 PAC organization.